Near Midnight

Product Notes

James Bilagody leads his life with a song in his heart. He was exposed to traditional Navajo song through his aunt and uncle at an early age and they introduced him to what would become his lifelong passion. He also listened extensively to classical music as a child and it opened his eyes to the diversity and beauty of music. While he was starting his prolific journey into music, he worked as a radio DJ at KRCL in Salt Lake City, Utah, which had a multiple music format and at KGHR in Tuba City, Arizona, which had a country music format. He also played rhythm guitar for a country band for a short time. As he grew older, he was introduced to Elvis Presley's music and became entranced by the energy of rock and roll. He later returned to his Native roots and sang traditional and fusion vocals for several albums. He sang on 1989's Sacred Feelings with flute by Douglas Spotted Eagle, 1990's Canyon Speak, 1991's Sound of America Records (SOAR) Sampler with various other artists and 1994's SOARS Solo Flights II with various other artists as well. He also contributed to the vocals on Wolf Moon in 1997 with Little Wolf, Contact from the Underworld of Red Boy in 1998 with Robbie Robertson and One Nation in 1999 with Brule. James wrote, recorded and contributed to the production of two of his own albums, Beauty Ways in 1992 and Sing For Me in 1999, which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Native American Music Album. With his knowledge and skills developed through the years by his involvement in the music business, he has supported the musical development and efforts of the tremendously popular Native rock band The Cremains. It only seemed natural for James Bilagody and The Cremains to collaborate on a musical project since they share a similar love of rock and traditional Native song. The result, Sacred Stage is a testament to this fusion of styles. They have already performed at many locations throughout the Southwest with an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response from their audience. The tracks consist of beautiful Native vocals backed by traditional drumbeat and they naturally progress to a full rock set with vocals sung by James in Navajo. Everyone involved with this collaboration are both excited to be exploring new territory and consider themselves to be writing a new chapter in a book the history of rock and roll. Never in the history of music has anyone solemnly fused the heritage of Native America with the vigor of hard rock. Jump at any opportunity to come and hear something that has never been done before... -K. McGinnis.

Credits

James Bilagody leads his life with a song in his heart. He was exposed to traditional Navajo song through his aunt and uncle at an early age and they introduced him to what would become his lifelong passion. He also listened extensively to classical music as a child and it opened his eyes to the diversity and beauty of music. While he was starting his prolific journey into music, he worked as a radio DJ at KRCL in Salt Lake City, Utah, which had a multiple music format and at KGHR in Tuba City, Arizona, which had a country music format. He also played rhythm guitar for a country band for a short time. As he grew older, he was introduced to Elvis Presley's music and became entranced by the energy of rock and roll. He later returned to his Native roots and sang traditional and fusion vocals for several albums. He sang on 1989's Sacred Feelings with flute by Douglas Spotted Eagle, 1990's Canyon Speak, 1991's Sound of America Records (SOAR) Sampler with various other artists and 1994's SOARS Solo Flights II with various other artists as well. He also contributed to the vocals on Wolf Moon in 1997 with Little Wolf, Contact from the Underworld of Red Boy in 1998 with Robbie Robertson and One Nation in 1999 with Brule. James wrote, recorded and contributed to the production of two of his own albums, Beauty Ways in 1992 and Sing For Me in 1999, which was nominated for a Grammy for Best Native American Music Album. With his knowledge and skills developed through the years by his involvement in the music business, he has supported the musical development and efforts of the tremendously popular Native rock band The Cremains. It only seemed natural for James Bilagody and The Cremains to collaborate on a musical project since they share a similar love of rock and traditional Native song. The result, Sacred Stage is a testament to this fusion of styles. They have already performed at many locations throughout the Southwest with an overwhelmingly enthusiastic response from their audience. The tracks consist of beautiful Native vocals backed by traditional drumbeat and they naturally progress to a full rock set with vocals sung by James in Navajo. Everyone involved with this collaboration are both excited to be exploring new territory and consider themselves to be writing a new chapter in a book the history of rock and roll. Never in the history of music has anyone solemnly fused the heritage of Native America with the vigor of hard rock. Jump at any opportunity to come and hear something that has never been done before... -K. McGinnis.